Wyoming plots a course for LNG

The Wyoming LNG Roadmap is a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility, potential, costs, and benefits of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a supplement to diesel fuel in Wyoming’s high horsepower sectors—mining, rail, drilling, pressure pumping, and over-the-road trucking.

The report was published following several months of extensive research to characterize the current fuel use and inventory of high horsepower diesel engines that currently power Wyoming’s huge energy economy (10.35 quadrillion BTUs per year). The comprehensive LNG “roadmap” will be used to help guide the state in its development of energy policies and educational programs, as well as identify opportunities for investment in infrastructure and technology to help spur natural gas market development.

GNA Senior Vice President Jon Leonard, the study’s principal investigator and lead author, notes that the report identifies strong potential for Wyoming to become a leading producer of “home-grown” LNG and other forms of natural gas for powering high horsepower engines. “This natural gas fuel can be consumed by Wyoming’s own prolific fleets in the mining, rail, and oil and gas sectors, while also being exported to nearby states that have similar vehicles and equipment,” he said.

“As the nation’s third largest producer of natural gas, the state of Wyoming has an incredible opportunity to help shape the high horsepower industry’s energy landscape,” said GNA CEO Erik Neandross. “This first-of-its-kind initiative helped facilitate a great partnership among all of the key players needed to make the gradual shift to domestically abundant, low cost, clean natural gas a reality—from government, fuel suppliers, and engine and technology providers, to high horsepower end-users.”

“This report shows there is potential for expansion of LNG use in Wyoming that can add value to our natural gas, be a sound business decision for Wyoming industries, and lead to job growth,” Governor Mead said. “I felt this was an opportune time to team up with private companies to facilitate research and understand what possibilities exist. The private sector will ultimately make investments in LNG technologies based on market conditions, and this report can be a catalyst.”